The demolition of a mosque located within the Saharanpur Collectorate premises in Uttar Pradesh has triggered a sharp political reaction from AIMIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi. Owaisi has launched a scathing attack on the government, questioning the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom for the Muslim community, while the demolition, which reportedly took place around 5 AM, has brought the historical status of the structure and the legalities of land ownership into the spotlight. While the administration maintains that the structure was an illegal encroachment on government land, Owaisi has pointed to historical records to assert its long-standing existence.
Historical Claims and 1911 Records
Asaduddin Owaisi took to the social media platform X to express his strong disapproval of the administration's actions. He claimed that the mosque wasn't a recent structure but had documented records of its existence dating back to 1911. According to Owaisi, the mosque committee had presented these historical documents in court to demonstrate that the place of worship predated the establishment of the Saharanpur Collectorate itself. He argued that prayers had been offered at the site for over a century, making it a significant religious landmark for the local community. Owaisi questioned why religious sites are being targeted with bulldozers based on what he termed as weak and fabricated grounds.
Legal Arguments and the Limitation Act
In his detailed critique, Owaisi raised significant legal points regarding property rights and government claims. He invoked the principles of the Limitation Act, arguing that the government can't suddenly claim ownership of land that has been under open and continuous possession for over a century. He questioned how the state could ignore a hundred years of continuous occupation and suddenly declare the structure illegal. Owaisi suggested that such a long duration of possession should naturally raise the question of adverse possession, even if the government's arguments were to be considered. He emphasized that the mosque existed before the collectorate and suggested that the demolition was driven by personal vendetta rather than legal necessity.
The Administration's Stance and Court Orders
Contrary to Owaisi's claims, the Saharanpur administration has stated that the demolition was carried out following a strict legal process and a court order. The legal battle over the structure saw a significant development on July 17, when the City Magistrate's court initially ordered the removal of the structure, identifying it as an illegal construction on government land. The mosque committee subsequently filed an appeal against this order. However, on September 4, the District Judge's court rejected the appeal and upheld the City Magistrate's earlier decision. 41 crore rupees in connection with the illegal encroachment and misuse of government property.
Security Measures and Law Enforcement
Following the demolition, the authorities have taken extensive measures to maintain law and order in Saharanpur. DIG Abhishek Singh confirmed that the action was taken after the City Magistrate's court found the mosque to be an illegal construction on government land and the subsequent appeal was dismissed. To prevent any untoward incidents or the spread of rumors, additional forces from the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed at sensitive and strategic locations across the city. The DIG also mentioned that social media platforms are being closely monitored to curb the dissemination of misinformation. The administration has reiterated that the entire process was conducted in accordance with the law and the specific directives issued by the court.